Iku-Boss Managers

Shimizu is working to ensure that the Iku-Boss concept penetrates the entire company because we recognize the importance of changing the mindset of the leaders in each organization. We are also working to achieve workstyle reform to create an environment that makes it easy to work. Shimizu has been holding the Iku-Boss Awards since FY 2015, and is implementing an initiative in which the awards are decided by employees. We are also working on initiatives to develop future Iku-Bosses by holding Iku-Boss seminars since FY 2016, and taking other steps.

Iku-Boss refers to managers who actively work to support the development of women and support their childcare needs, and promote the creation of an energetic workplace that makes it easy to work.

Iku-Boss Initiatives

The initiatives that Shimizu has implemented thus far are listed below.

FY 2017

FY 2017 Iku-Boss Seminar

The FY 2017 Iku-Boss Seminar was held at the head office on June 9, 2017, the second annual seminar of its kind. A total of 117 executive managers of department general manager rank and above attended from all branches, including overseas branches.「We invited Takayuki Kawashima, the director of Fathering Japan, as the instructor to deliver the keynote lecture, as we did last year, and the content of the seminar focused on the Iku-Boss program and workstyle reform based on the goal of creating a work environment that makes it easy for anyone to work, and the future increasing need for workstyle reform.In the process of completing various tasks, each participant gained the understanding that creating an environment that is comfortable to work in will increase the motivation of subordinates and increase organizational strengths. It provided an opportunity to refresh their recognition that the initiative to increase the number of Iku-Bosses is directly linked to the management strategy. At the end of the workshop, each participant compiled an Iku-Boss Declaration of Actions listing things that he could begin the next day, and each participant boldly proclaimed their lists to everyone at the same table.

2017 Iku-Boss Awards

The Iku-Boss Awards ceremony was held during the Iku-Boss Seminar on Friday, June 9, as it was last year.

FY 2016

FY 2016 Iku-Boss Seminar

The FY 2016 Iku-Boss Seminar was held on May 20, 2016. One hundred and twenty men and women who engage in field work participated from Japan and overseas. At this seminar, participants discussed what was needed to improve productivity as one part of the measures to promote diversity. The seminar was held to raise awareness. We invited Takayuki Kawashima, the director of Fathering Japan (and the president of Mitsui & Co. Logistics Partners, Ltd.), as the instructor to deliver the keynote lecture. He spoke on the topic of "Iku-Bosses improve results while increasing smiles." Lively discussions ensued afterwards in the work groups, based on the theme of "A virtual job site: What would you do in this instance?" They tried out a new tactic in the work groups of simulating the perspective of the other person by switching the roles of the officer and the subordinate. After the seminar was over, we held an informal reception that was attended by the officers as well, and participants got to know one another better while reflecting on the seminar.

2016 Iku-Boss Awards

An award ceremony was held during the Iku-Boss Seminar on Friday, May 20. We asked for nominations of Iku-Bosses to develop awareness and transform actions aimed at promoting activity by a more diverse range of human resources and adopting good examples across the organization. Out of the 23 people recommended, three people were awarded the Gold Boss award and four were awarded the Special award.

2015 Iku-Boss Awards

We solicited recommendations of Iku-Bosses (managers who actively work to support the development of women and support their childcare needs, and promote the creation of an energetic work place that makes it easy to work). Those who represented superior examples were awarded the Gold Boss Award.